Port Moresby (Pot Mosbi in Tok Pisin) is the capital of Papua New Guinea.
About the city
Port Moresby is the capital of Papua New Guinea and the largest city in the country. The city is located on the coast of the Gulf of Papua. The population is approximately 300,000 people, and this figure is growing rapidly. The indigenous people of this territory are considered to be the Motu people. Moresby was named after Captain John Moresby, the first European to visit the site in 1873.
The city stretches quite widely along the coast. The original colonial settlement was located right by the sea in what is now the city's main port and business district. Higher up on the hills are luxury residences. Closer to the airport, which is separated from the city itself by mountains, lies the Vaigani district. This area was developed in the 1970s following the declaration of independence of the state of Papua New Guinea (16 September 1975) and was intended for government buildings. Nearby are the residential areas of Boroko and Gordons, where most of the city's major shops are located. You can rent a hotel on, and you can compare prices from different sites. An alternative option is to rent housing from locals; you can search for offers, for example.
How to get there
Clue:
Port Moresby - the time is now
Hour difference:
Moscow − 7
Kazan − 7
Samara − 6
Ekaterinburg − 5
Novosibirsk − 3
Vladivostok 0
When is the season? When is the best time to go
Clue:
Port Moresby - weather by month
Main attractions. What to see
Port Moresby Nature Park (formerly known as Port Moresby National Botanic Gardens)
Located next to the University of Papua New Guinea, this park is well worth a visit. Here you can see some amazing examples of PNG's wildlife, such as the bird of paradise, cassowary, tree kangaroos, various species of wallabies, and many other species of native birds. Here you can walk through tropical, well-kept gardens with lush vegetation and take your mind off the boring poverty and bustle of the city. If you're lucky, you might stumble across a wedding in the park, as many locals love to hold wedding ceremonies in these beautiful gardens.
Port Moresby Golf Club
Excellent golf course located directly across from government buildings. The prices are quite reasonable, but be careful, as crocodiles live in the small lakes located on the field. The main building of the golf club has good restaurant, where you can have lunch or grab a beer after a round of golf.
Handicraft fair on Ila Beach
The fair takes place on the last Saturday of every month near international school Ela Murray (Ela Murray International School). Residents from all over the country flock here, wanting to sell hand-made samples. national culture. An excellent place to purchase beautiful carved wooden products and wicker baskets self made and many other things that make good souvenirs.
Mount Tuaguba (Touaguba Hill)
It may not be all that interesting, but it is where the embassy residences are located and where many local wealthy residents live. In addition, the mountain opens beautiful view to the city center and the ocean.
Moitaka Wildlife Sanctuary
Located on the Sir Hubert Murray motorway.
Hiri Moale Festival
The festival takes place over a weekend in mid-September to celebrate PNG's Declaration of Independence. The main event of the festival is considered to be the historical trade expedition of the inhabitants of the Gulf province on traditional canoes to the capital regions for the purpose of trading clay pots and sago starch with the local residents. Watching over a hundred canoes set out to sea is a truly breathtaking sight. The festival is considered the main cultural holiday of the city and is accompanied by traditional songs, dances and performances of various tribes.
What to see in the area
Moresby, with just a few attractions to see, is usually a destination for tourists on their way to other parts of the country. Available day trips from Port Moresby include:
Sogery Plateau. 50 kilometers from Port Moresby and at an altitude of 800 meters, the plateau serves as an excellent place where you can take a break from the heat. The Sogeri Plateau is the end point of the Kokoda Route, a trek through the jungle following the path taken by Japanese soldiers in 1942 in an attempt to take Port Moresby.
Yule Island. A small island off the coast of Central Province, two hours' drive west of Port Moresby. The island is famous for the fact that the first Europeans who came to Papua New Guinea landed here. In 1885, Catholic missionaries brought together by a Filipino cleric settled on the island, and as a result, the island's settlers are often associated with the Filipinos. This popular place, where tourists come to relax during their vacation and enjoy seafood dishes.
Asia Aromas Restaurant, ☎ 321 4780. A Chinese restaurant serving excellent quality food, located in the Steamships Plaza shopping center in the city centre. The restaurant is popular among local expats.
Daikoku Restaurant. Located in Andersons Foodland, offering food Japanese cuisine, cooked right at your table in front of your eyes (Teppanyaki style). Don't forget to try the dish called "Puk Puk" (crocodile tongue).
Royal Papua Yacht Club Restaurant. They serve excellent Australian cuisine with some Papua New Guinean influences. In the restaurant you can order from the menu or use the buffet, where the choice of dishes varies depending on the day of the week. You may need an invitation to enter the restaurant.
The Crowne Plaza has a wonderful Mediterranean restaurant that offers some of the highest priced menus on the island. But if you're looking to splurge, this is definitely the most the best place for this one it's worth a visit.
The Port Moresby Golf Club has a nice little restaurant that offers an excellent menu and lunch... buffet".
Seoul House Restaurant offers good quality Korean cuisine. The restaurant is located next to the station Maintenance 5-Mile.
Fu Gui Restaurant. Dishes in the style of oriental cuisine. Don't forget to try the Chicken Nasi Lemak. The restaurant is located in Gordons, down the road from the RH supermarket and Brian Bell.
Hotel Lamana Hotel. A good place to grab a quick bite and check out the casino. This place with friendly and friendly staff is the only one in the city where you can try the dishes Indian cuisine. It's definitely worth coming here.
Beverages
The most common drink in Port Moresby, as well as throughout the country, is “SP beer”. However, after you try this traditional drink, you may want to drink a higher quality beer such as “SP Export” or “Niugini Ice”. To buy alcohol you should find one of the characteristic yellow and green shops that are usually located in supermarkets. The rest of the alcohol stores have a rather small selection of wines and mostly consist of wines from Australian and New Zealand brands. Alcohol prices here are higher than you might expect as it is taxed. Local residents become quite violent under the influence of alcohol (as in principle do residents of other countries), so try to avoid those who you think are intoxicated. Usually all visitors drink in hotel bars or sports bars and the atmosphere in them is more relaxed than in city establishments for locals.
Safety. What to watch out for
Port Moresby is famous all over the world high level crime. Car thefts, street robberies and other crimes happen quite often here. Crime rates, civil unrest and police reluctance to respond are of great concern to the public. There have been cases where police officers have been involved in serious criminal cases. The international organization Humans Rights Watch also criticizes the brutality and rudeness of police officers towards juvenile offenders, complainants and witnesses.
To reduce your chances of becoming a victim of crime, avoid places where large groups of people gather and where crime is common. Car thefts are very common in the Waigani area, especially around the traffic lights and Port Moresby Golf Club.
Before you go to any area of the city that you are unfamiliar with, seek advice from someone who is familiar with it.
Regarding natural hazards, saltwater crocodiles widespread throughout Papua New Guinea. However, it is extremely unlikely that you will encounter one of them on your way.
Things to do
There are many reefs and wrecks in the sea near Port Moresby where you can go diving. To dive into the water, you can hire a boat for the day or go to the neighboring island of Loloata, where the world-famous diving resort is located, where all conditions are created for both beginners and experienced divers.
Shopping and shops
Grocery stores
There are four main grocery stores in Prot Moresby: Andersons Foodland, now known as SVS; Harbor City Shopping Centre, Stop and Shop supermarket in the Chohola area, and Boroko Foodworld supermarkets in the residential areas of Boroko and Gordons.
Andersons store is located next to the Royal Papua Yacht club restaurant and you can usually find everything you need there. You can also visit the larger Foodworld supermarket, which is located over the hill in the Boroko area. The newer and larger Boroko Foodworld supermarket is located further east in the Gordons area. Just recently, the city's first shopping center called Vision City opened in Port Moresby in the Waigani area. The shopping center has a large RH supermarket where you can find everything from household items to canned beans. The supermarket offers a wide range of goods of good quality and at reasonable prices. However, you should remember that imported goods may disappear from the shelves, and it is not known when the next import will be, so if you like something, buy it immediately. This does not apply to staple foods, but rather to items that are not in high demand.
How to get around the city
Attractions that all tourists love to visit are scattered throughout the city in Moresby. There are very few of them in the central business district and, if you go for a walk, you will find almost nothing here. Of course, walking along Ila Beach or around the shopping areas is very pleasant, but in other cases you will have to use vehicles. You can see a lot of cyclists in the city, but finding a place to rent a bike is extremely difficult.
Public transport
Local residents use minibuses that travel throughout the city. Since travel is quite cheap, many drivers try to get as many passengers as can fit on their bus, which is why the cabin is often crowded. On all minibuses you can see the number and route, and local residents will be happy to answer your questions and help you choose the right route.
Cars
Car rental agencies can be found near Jackson International Airport, but people prefer not to drive around the city, as some Moresby natives throw rocks at passing cars. They do this not out of malice, but for fun, but if luck is on their side and they still hit the target, then the windows of your car will be broken.
Another local feature is that in the city you can sometimes find people standing in the middle of a certain section of the road and demanding money from those passing by for repairing this section. After all, the roads outside the city are simply terrible: just beyond the border they turn into impassable ruts that only an experienced driver in a four-wheel drive vehicle can drive on. So if you want to visit attractions around Moresby such as Warirata National Park near the scenic Sogeri Plateau or the start of the Kokoda Hiking Trail, be sure to take a 4WD vehicle. You can look at prices for car rentals, for example.
Taxi. What features exist
There are a number of taxi companies in Moresby. If you call one of them from your hotel, the car will arrive at the shortest possible time. You can try to hail a taxi on the street, but if you want to be on the safe side, ask someone to order a taxi for you over the phone.
The capital of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, is a modest city by modern standards, but so charming. It is located between the bays of Port Moresby Bay and Walter Bay, surrounded on both sides by picturesque mountains with unusual names— Touaguba and Pago, the latter served as a base for Japanese units during the Second World War. Colleen McCullough, in her bestseller “The Thorn Birds,” speaking about the landing of the division in Port Moresby, wonderfully described its nature after the rain: “The whitish sky, as if covered with a veil of steam, suddenly turned blue, and the sun shone, and the water surface outside the city began to sparkle. bright colors- green, purple, lilac." The modest charm of Port Moresby also impresses exotic travelers.
On Mount Taugaba you can see the mansions of the richest people in Papua New Guinea, on Pago - concrete structures preserved after the departure of the Japanese, which are used by local residents as houses. Port Moresby is probably the only point on the map where the population speaks more than seven hundred languages. Official language- English, or rather its variety - pidgin English (in Papuan “tok-pisin”). The city attracts attention with its multinationality, because Australians, Europeans, Chinese and the indigenous population - the Motu people - peacefully coexist on its territory. The capital is relatively young, because it is about 150 years old, but despite its youth, during this time it has managed to become the largest economic, cultural and tourist center of the country.
The history of the city dates back to 1873, when the English navigator John Moresby landed in the southeastern part of the island of Guinea and discovered a cozy bay, which he named in honor of his beloved father Fairfax Moresby. Before the British set foot on this land, the area had already been developed by the Motu tribe, whose settlements were scattered on the site of today's capital. One of them has survived to this day - Hanuabad. In 1884, Port Moresby became part of British New Guinea, and 23 years later it was recognized as part of Australia. Only in 1949 did it become part of a new state unit - Papua New Guinea. The city's heyday came after World War II, already in the 1960s. he becomes the boss cultural center countries, and in 1975 Papua New Guinea was proclaimed independent state, of which Port Moresby became the capital.
Every day in this city you can make more and more new discoveries, which is why it attracts tourists from all over the world. Its peculiarity is that, while developing comprehensively, Port Moresby does not lose its true face. It stands apart in the process of globalization, but at the same time uses all the world's major achievements in the field of science, culture, economics, and politics, adapting them to its reality.
Ella United Church
Port Moresby's oldest landmark, Ella Church, was built in 1890 by European missionaries who preached Christian religion to the local population. It is located in the historical center of the city called Town. Historians still cannot understand how it managed to survive during the Second World War. The church was reconstructed in 2001. It is a small structure in the form of a wooden building, the interior of which is quite modest, but it amazes with its intimate atmosphere. Today, Ella United Church is the main religious attraction in Port Moresby.
Not far from it is Ella Beach Park, which will be interesting to visit, because here you will see diversity flora and a great variety of exotic birds.
Hanuabada village
At one time, John Moresby landed here and became the very first white man to set foot on these lands. The village of Hanuabada is one of the few places in Papua New Guinea where the local population sacredly honors its traditions. The village is located on the shore of the Gulf of Papua, or rather, in the bay itself, because the houses rise on pillars above the water. Dwellings were made from scrap materials, the main construction material was wood, the roofs were thatched, and interior decoration uncomplicated.
In the village, if you are lucky, you will be able to see the ritual of a local wedding, in which the bride price is given... in pigs! Behind good girl are ready to give away twenty or even fifty animals. Products can also act as a means of payment: sugar, rice, flour, as well as jewelry and, of course, money. There is a special attitude towards the latter, because the very word kina (name national currency) comes from the name of a pearl shell in one of the languages of this village, and previously they were used here as a means of payment.
National Museum and Art Gallery of Papua New Guinea (NMAG)
The museum was built in 1975, two years later it opened its doors to everyone. There are more than 30,000 anthropological, over 25,000 archaeological and 18,000 natural science exhibits, as well as 20,000 military relics and more than 7,000 works of modern art. The museum buildings are scattered around different corners city, but the main one is in the Waigani area, where you can see five galleries: Life and Earth, Independence Gallery, Sir Michael Somare Gallery, Sir Allan Mann Gallery and Masterpieces Gallery. Archaeological artifacts and modern Art. In one of the galleries you will see decorated posts that were used many years ago to protect the house from evil spirits, stuffed colorful birds of paradise (one of the symbols of the state), ancient fishing equipment and paintings by modern Papua New Guinean artists.
The museum is currently owned by the people of Papua New Guinea. Military unit The museum is working with the US Army and the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to locate missing people and identify military remains.
Houses of Parliament
Not far from the National Museum is the Houses of Parliament, which was opened in 1984 by Prince Charles. This modern building attracts tourists with its interesting design in the national style, reminiscent of a house for spirits. As you approach the main entrance, you will see amazing beauty mosaic with typical Papuan motifs, which was created by famous local craftsmen. Pay attention to the door handles, made in the shape of a traditional Papuan ritual object - kundu drums. You have a unique opportunity to see where they are accepted important decisions in the state, because the Governor-General of Papua New Guinea sits in this Parliament, representing Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. After visiting this attraction, you can head to the main University of the country, which is located very close to the Parliament.
Warirata National Park
In order to get to the park, you need to move 42 kilometers away from the city, but the journey is worth it. At the entrance, guests are greeted by a “tree house” that once belonged to the Koiaris tribe, who hunted here before the park was declared a national treasure and protected site. You can wander endlessly through its territory, because there are many unusual plants that are represented only in Papua New Guinea. Don’t be afraid to get lost, because there are special signs on all the paths. The park, which covers an area of 1,000 hectares, has places for overnight stays and picnic areas, so if you want to stay here for more than a day, all conditions are available here.
Leisure
There are not so many options for leisure activities in Port Moresby and they mainly concern quiet and active water recreation. For peace by the water, head to the city's main public beach, Ila, formerly known as Era Kone (“turtle beach”), where you can sunbathe, swim, and play beach volleyball and basketball. Fans of active water recreation will appreciate a wide range of entertainment opportunities: you can go diving, snorkeling, surfing, kiteboarding, sailing, water skiing, and sea fishing.
If you came for exotic things, then best choice will be the Mount Hagen Cultural Show festival, which takes place every third Saturday and Sunday in August. The main characters of this show are the Papuan tribes, of which there are more than a hundred! The motto of the festival is “Unity in diversity”, which is embodied in their appearance: the natives are usually painted in crazy colors, necklaces made of shells adorn their necks, and headdresses decorated with all kinds of natural materials. The tradition of holding it began in 1964, when the territory of Papua New Guinea was part of the Australian colony, so tribal leaders wanted to smooth out inter-tribal conflicts by demonstrating the accumulated cultural experience of different tribes. They literally implemented the motto of the festival - a hundred tribes of Papuan people are one, but at the same time they are all different, and this is something to be proud of.
How to get there
It is not possible to fly from Russia to Papua New Guinea with one transfer. The following airlines operate flights from Moscow: Air Niugini (transfer in Singapore), Qatar Airways (transfer in Qatar), Emirates (transfer in Dubai), Singapore Airlines (transfer in Singapore). You will be transferred to Jackson International Airport (Port Moresby Airport), which is 8 km from the capital. You can get to the city by taxi and it is advisable to order a car in advance, since there is a high probability that you will not find one near the airport. The cost should be negotiated before the trip.
Local transport
Port Moresby's public transport network is not very well developed, as evidenced by the fact that only 3.5% of Papua New Guinea's roads are paved. Despite this, minibuses ply around the city; on each one you can see the route and its number. The fare is quite cheap, but the bus itself is quite crowded, as the drivers take a large number of passengers.
The second option for getting around the city is a taxi. But finding a car here is very difficult, so you need to order a taxi in advance.
The third option is to rent a car, but for this you need to have an international driving license. The roads here are of poor quality, so your trip will be a bit hassle-free. Often local residents throw pebbles at car windows, but not out of malice, but simply trying to hit the target. So, before you rent a car, think carefully about what might happen.
Hotels
Guests of the 16-story Grand Papua Hotel (4*) note the helpfulness of the staff, good location in the city center (the airport can be reached in 15 minutes) and the safety of the hotel. There is a store and a cafe next to the hotel, and guests are provided with spacious rooms, each of which has free Wi-Fi, a refrigerator, a kettle, and a coffee maker.
If the main thing for you is proximity to the airport, then Airways Hotel (5*) would be the best option. The journey will take you no more than 5 minutes. All rooms presented here are exclusively luxury, with views of the ocean and mountains. The hotel features a tennis court, swimming pool, fitness center and spa, as well as a botanical garden for romantic strolls.
Beach lovers should opt for Ela Beach Hotel (4*). A hotel with increased security measures: security allows only guests with special cards to enter. Here you will enjoy rooms with views of the Coral Sea, spacious rooms, varied breakfasts and proximity to the beach (100 m).
In terms of price-quality ratio, Raintree Lodge (3*) beats its predecessors, which is located a 15-minute drive to the city center and 10 minutes from the Waigani golf course. Services include a free airport shuttle and spacious rooms with garden views.
You can stay at the Hideaway Hotel (3*) for a couple of nights. The rooms here are standard, but need some cosmetic renovation. Free Wi-Fi is for staff only, so this hotel is more for short stays.
Restaurants
Visit the capital of Papua New Guinea and not try Australian dishes with a Papuan touch? This is simply unforgivable! The Macdhui restaurant at Royal Papua Yacht Club presents such a great opportunity, because its chef James Morton has worked in many leading European restaurants, cooking for Justin Timberlake, singer Stevie Nicks and the Rolling Stones. Here you should try New Zealand oysters, tiger prawns with garlic-olive sauce, young octopus with fried eggplant, feta cheese and pine nuts.
The highest prices in the city? All of them are concentrated in Rapala, the restaurant of the Crowne Plaza hotel. The hefty bill is justified by the divine taste of Mediterranean cuisine and attentive staff. You will not be indifferent to the most tender veal tenderloin, fried scallops and lobster in batter.
About Tasty Bite Indian Restaurant we can say that this is one of best restaurants in Port Moresby. It will especially appeal to true lovers of Indian cuisine. The establishment pleases with reasonable prices, gourmet dishes and even offers take-out food. At Tasty Bite Indian Restaurant you should try tandoori chicken, bhaji (stir-fried vegetables with lots of spices) and beef stew with curry sauce.
Fast food fans will appreciate the Buffalo Burgers cafe, which serves the most... delicious burgers and chips in huge portions at reasonable prices. The cafe is located at the intersection of Cameron Road and Waigani Drive.
If you can't resist the smell of coffee and fresh baked goods, head to Duffy Cafe, where you will plunge into the world of Australian, French and French desserts. Italian cuisine. In addition to sweets, the menu offers sandwiches in various variations. Duffy Cafe is your ideal breakfast spot and can be found in Gordons shopping area.
Shopping
There are not many shopping centers in Port Moresby. If you travel by car, do not worry about the fact that you will not be able to leave your rented car in safety - there are fenced and guarded parking areas around the shopping center. It is worth visiting the largest shopping center in Port Moresby - Vision City Mega Mall, where you will find both branded items and a more modest assortment. There you can buy clothes, shoes, bags, jewelry, watches, sports equipment, household appliances and home accessories.
In the Gordons area, which stretches along the coast, the largest market in the country is located - Gordons Market, which offers its customers fruits, vegetables, exotic types of fish and meat. But the small Koki Market, open on Saturdays, specializes exclusively in fish, so if you want to try all types, then you should go here. But we should not forget that the markets are full of street thieves, so be careful and take note - bargaining is not accepted in Papuan markets.
As for souvenirs, it is worth paying attention to the local exotica in the form of wooden carved masks and figurines, which, according to legend, protect the house from evil spirits, and birds of paradise carved from wood, which will bring happiness and comfort to the home of the owner of this figurine. Wicker baskets made of beech will appeal to any housewife, dudes will be delighted with bags and belts made of crocodile skin, and brave and courageous representatives of the stronger sex should be given beads made from the fangs of wild pigs, because they symbolize masculinity.
A story that happened to me last week.
For three days I stayed near Moresby in a village called Tubuseria. I was invited there by a man named Morgan, a driver who had given me a lift 3 weeks before. One day, Morgan’s wife’s brother came to our house. Everyone was sitting on the veranda, I was in the large room writing some text in a notepad.
- Daniel, meet my wife's brother (brother-in-law).
I went out onto the veranda, James (this same wife’s brother) immediately asked me a question:
- What are you doing here? Who let you into my house? Who gave you the right to sit here?
I pointed to Morgan and said he let me in.
- Okay, you're lucky. Otherwise, where is my bush knife, I will cut your throat.
Everyone laughed, the joke was a success, I returned to the room.
I would like to note that Papuans carry huge machete-type cutlasses or knives everywhere. Some knives reach half a meter in length.
After 2 days, Morgan brought me to Port Moresby, where I collected my passport with an extended visa from Immigration. We stopped at Morgan's house not far from Immigration to drink coffee, I treated the children to apples and some other food. After coffee, my plans were to leave the city and hitchhike to the west, but the rain that started changed my plans a little. Morgan offered to change clothes at his house and go in the morning.
- It's late, and the area you're going to is dangerous. Moreover, it is raining. Stay here overnight and go in the morning.
- You are sure? I won't bother anyone?
- Yes, sure! This is my home.
I agreed. Morgan, his wife and children packed up and drove back to Tubusaria, because... We didn’t want to get stuck somewhere along the road due to flooded sections of the road. There were women, children and other guys left in the house with me on the 1st floor.
I talked a little with the women and talked about my travels. In general, as usual. They offered me coffee, but I refused. I turned on the laptop and began editing the article.
At this time someone arrived. A minute later, the same James, the brother of Morgan’s wife, entered the main room.
- What are you doing?
- I'm writing an article about Australia.
- What are you doing here anyway? Do you think that you can calmly come into my house, sit on my sofa, drink my coffee, connect to the power grid? Who gave you the right to all this?
At the first moment I thought that he had decided to joke again, but his intonation and serious face did not indicate this.
- Sorry if I disturbed you, I'll get ready and leave now.
- Yes! Go away! FUCK OFF!
My surprise knew no bounds. I was even speechless from his pressure. I started packing my things into my backpack. Meanwhile, James approached me.
- I work a lot, come home and see you! Get out from here! I hate Australians! They're bullying us!
- Wait, I'm not Australian. I am Russian! I am a working person like you.
- How many days did you live in my house in Tubuseria?
- Three days, but Morgan invited me and everything was just fine. These people are very hospitable and there were no problems. I do not understand what is going on? This is some kind of misunderstanding.
- You owe me 200 kina (70 dollars)!
- I have no money.
- What can you offer me in return?
- Well, I can give him my food (I hand him a bag of instant noodles and cookies)
- You will pay me for everything!!!
He quickly left, clearly with some intention. Things smelled like frying.
Half a minute later, Papuan James returned not empty-handed, but with a cleaver half a meter long.
- Well, what the fuck! What were you doing in my house in Tubuseria?!
He swung his cleaver in front of me and hit the door frame. The chips flew off.
I began to talk about myself, about my journey, about how I stay with local people, in schools, take photographs, live with people, get to know local life and culture, how I then write stories about it, etc.
James listened to me and, I feel, cooled down. He put the knife on the floor.
Having told everything about myself, I noticed that if I have white skin, this does not mean that I have pockets, full of money and so on. Then he took his things and dragged them down to the bike.
Wait, it's raining outside. Stay and have some coffee.
- It's just water, not acid. Thanks for the offer, but I'm leaving. And I won’t change my desire.
While he was jumping in front of me with a cleaver, Morgan returned with his wife. I don't know how they knew what was going on. Perhaps my relatives called them, afraid that my blood might be shed.
Going down under the house, I saw Morgan.
- Daniel, I'm sorry.
- Nothing, anything can happen.
I assembled the bike and attached the backpacks. James came down and stood in front of me, every now and then trying to return my food or snatching my waterproof jacket. I gave up everything, said “Goodbye” and drove off into the rain.
About 500 meters later I noticed Morgan's car slowing down at the side of the road. Morgan got out of the car, apparently thinking of helping me load into the back. But I didn’t stop and drove past. I think he understood everything. I felt disgusting, in a psychological sense. It’s good that I didn’t get hit with a cleaver.
I managed to leave the city. The passengers of the first car invited me to their home to spend the night. Beautiful people. So now believe the stories where it is more dangerous.
In the evening Morgan sent me a message: "Daniel, I'm very sorry about what happened. James thinks you paid me money to stay at his house in Tubusaria. I really don't like this and I'm going to kick him out of my house to Moresby tomorrow"
In conclusion, I want to say that I have no complaints about Morgan and his family.
It is from the capital that most tourists begin their acquaintance with this country, so today our portal presents to your attention the main attractions of this city.
Panoramic city view
Port Moresby boasts stunning views overlooking the pristine waters of the bay. To see a beautiful sunset or the beauty of the surrounding harbor, you can go to the hill above the harbor.
Military cemetery
Bomana, the largest military cemetery in the Pacific region, is located approximately 19 kilometers north of Port Moresby. The cemetery is located on the road to Sogeri near the Sir Hubert Murray Highway.
Thousands of young Australian and Papua New Guinean soldiers killed during the Second World War are buried in this well-kept cemetery, which is a sad reminder of the region's terrible wars. The cemetery was opened in 1942 by the Australian Army and is the only cemetery in Papua New Guinea to feature white marble headstones. There are 3,779 graves here.
Hanuabada
Hanuabada is a coastal village located on the outskirts of Port Moresby. Translated from Motu, the local language, Hanuabada means big village, and this village is located northwest of the center of Port Moresby. Where residents did not have enough land for a hundred houses, thousands of ingenious houses on stilts were built, which filled the harbor. Hanuabada seems small, but about 15,000 people live in houses on stilts.
Port Moresby Nature Park
Local Natural Park(formerly known as the Botanical Garden) is a combined botanical and zoological park and a garden dedicated to the development of the flora and fauna of Papua New Guinea. Located on the huge campus of the University of Papua New Guinea, this reserve is one of the main tourist attractions in the country. Today the reserve has a huge collection of plants from all over the country, as well as many plants from other parts of the world. Thousands of species of tropical plants, including palms, ginger and native tree species can be seen here. The nature park is open to visitors daily from 9am to 4pm.
Entertainment party PNG
Located near Port Moresby, this amusement park is the only recreational area for local residents. The park is located 20 minutes from the city, opposite the Pacific Adventist University. Entertainment for all ages, you can fish from the shore or in the middle of the lake, get adrenaline by riding the water slides all day or from meeting with wildlife in the yard of a local farm that is home to more than 100 farm animals.
National Orchid Garden
The National Orchid Garden is part of the new Amusement Park area. Here you can stroll and relax in the well-kept garden. You will be amazed by the variety of orchids collected from all over the world.
National Parliament Building
Built in the local spirit house style, this impressive building opened in 1984. The wall tiles on the main façade represent works by the most famous artists of the time. The National Parliament Building, the most impressive building in PNG, the mosaic facade of the National Parliament House will not leave anyone indifferent, and the artists will stay here all day. Open 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm.
National Museum and Art Gallery
The National Museum and Art Gallery of Papua New Guinea is the "spiritual home" for this country's rich natural and cultural heritage. The museum is owned by the people of Papua New Guinea and has excellent exhibitions on the fauna, culture, geography, ethnography and history of the country, which include examples of masks and shields, shells and local products.
Opening hours. On weekdays from 8:30 to 15:30. On Sunday from 13:00 to 15:00. Saturday is a day off.
Crystal Thresholds
40 km from Port Moresby lies the serene getaway of Crystal Rapids. The road here is very bad, you will need a passable car to get over the clay, but it is worth it. IN Lately the recreation areas here have been restored. Covered picnic tables and barbecues. Going down the rapids in a rubber boat is a lot of fun, but beware of the invisible rocks.
Variata National Park
Variata is a 40-minute drive from Port Moresby. In total, its area is 1000 hectares of forest. From 800m above sea level, you will see stunning views of Port Moresby and the Central Coast. You can also see many here rare birds, watch kingfishers and birds of paradise, and walk along various routes from 45 minutes to 3 hours.
Diving resort Loloata
Loloata Island is a desirable holiday destination for many tourists. Here you will have the opportunity to relax, commune with nature and enjoy true Melanesian hospitality. For scuba divers, Loloata Island will provide great diving and the opportunity to observe some of the world's greatest coral reefs and encounter a variety of marine animals in their natural habitat. Loloata is a privately owned, cozy resort located on the bay, 25 minutes from international airport in Port Moresby. Underwater enthusiasts will find a dazzling array of large fish, corals and invertebrates within easy walking distance of the pier.
8 August. Port Moresby.
Papua New Guinea greeted us with a hot, humid tropical climate; we had to steam in such a bathhouse for 11 days.
We arrived at 4 o'clock in the morning. We checked into the hotel. A couple of hours of rest and back on the road.
So, we are in the capital of Papua New Guinea - Port Moresby.
By the time our group arrived in New Guinea, we were already thoroughly savvy. We knew that:
- this is the biggest island country in Oceania, which includes about 600 smaller islands;
- it is the second largest island in the world;
- located south of the equator;
- in the south it borders with Australia, in the north with the Federated States of Micronesia, in the west with Indonesia, in the east with the Solomon Islands; - the country's population is about 5 million people, mainly Papuans and Melanesians. Urban population is 15%.
In the 16th century, these lands were discovered by the Portuguese. Since 1884, the territory was owned by Great Britain and Germany, and at the beginning of the 20th century it was controlled by Australia. Although the country became independent in 1975, it is a member of the Commonwealth and the formal head of state is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of England. It has been governed on its behalf by the Governor General, Mr. Silas Atopare, since 1977. There are more than 800 languages in Papua, the most widely spoken of which is Pinjin English, a heavily modified version of English. But if you speak English with locals, you will always be understood.
Copper, gold and zinc are mined in the country. They grow coffee, cocoa and coconut palms. There are no McDonald's, Starbucks, highways or highways in this country. railways, as well as cannibalism. Cannibalism was officially abolished about 30 years ago. But the last high-profile case of cannibalism was recorded in 1984, when Rockefeller's nephew went missing in Papua. There were many versions about his disappearance, but almost no one doubted that he was simply eaten. Recently the tribe that ate it was found.
Papua New Guinea is a diving paradise. The anomalous concentration of fish and corals in the waters of PNG is associated with the location of the central part of the country in the Coral Triangle - the meeting place of three seas: the Coral Sea from the south, the Bismarck Sea from the north and the Solomon Sea from the east. I have never seen such diversity and abundance of species anywhere. In these waters lie sunken ships and military aircraft not only from the Second World War, but also from the Age of the Great Geographical discoveries. Most of The equipment is in excellent condition. On many aircraft it is still possible to examine weapons and ammunition using diving equipment.
Our first point of arrival is the capital, Port Moresby, named after the English captain John Moresby, who first marked this bay on the map back in 1873. From the cultural program we were shown the city itself, the Parliament, Botanical Garden, National Museum and National Gallery.
Parliament has quite interesting shape. Leaf-shaped roof. Take a closer look at how the wall is decorated.
We saw parliamentarians. Here they are, resting on the stairs.
While the group was gathering near the bus, I saw something heading towards us... A week later, this would no longer surprise us. And now it was just an overseas beast. In fact, this is a person who earns money from tourists.
All guidebooks strongly recommended visiting the botanical garden, where there is every chance of seeing a bird of paradise. She is quite shy, and it is extremely difficult to catch her in the camera's focus unless she hides in the bushes. As a result, it was only possible to remove it partially.
The garden itself, or rather it would be called a kindergarten, is a small place on the campus. There are cages with birds and animals, several types of trees and shrubs. In general, there is nothing special to do there. In principle, in fact, there is nothing to do in the capital. It makes more sense to spend the night here and fly further, for example to Madang by the sea. Or to Mount Hagen for the festival. Well, tomorrow we will go to the small town of Lae.
I was greatly pleased by the fact that the residents reacted extremely calmly to the photography, to say the least. They are very happy to make contact with the photographer. They smile, wave their hands in a welcoming manner, ask to take their photo and be sure to present them with the results of the shooting.
Then we drove around the city. We went to the seashore. There is nowhere to swim here, the beaches are city, and it’s extremely difficult to call them beaches.
Papuans play football on the field. In general, this is a favorite sport here.
Tourist media confidently write about the extremely negative crime situation in the capital. The guides only asked us to be more vigilant on the street and not to go out in the dark. They say that there are many pickpockets in Papua. But there are a lot of pickpockets everywhere, even in our beloved sunny Italy. During the entire trip, only one member of our group (the group leader) suffered from this crime, and only due to his stupidity. So it is quite enough to follow basic safety rules.
Entire route:
On vacation to the savages. Part one. Singapore.
